Senior Electro-Optical Payload Engineer - Space Imaging

NCSL International; Tukwila (WA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

BlackSky is seeking a Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer to lead integration, verification, and testing of spaceborne EO payloads. You will develop test strategies, support payload integration on satellites, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure robust end-to-end validation from planning to execution.

Required: 10+ years in optical engineering roles, a Bachelors in optical engineering or physics, hands-on lab experience with optical instruments, and proficiency in programming for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or equivalent.
• Hands-on lab experience with optical tests and instrumentation (interferometers, theodolite/laser tracker).
• Proficiency in at least one programming language with numerical/technical computing focus.
• Strong understanding of optical image formation and detector phenomenology in VIS/IR spectra.
• Familiarity with radiometry, imaging metrics, and system performance modeling.

Responsibilities

• Develop integration, verification, and test strategies for EO payloads.
• Maintain optical test facilities and support payload integration onto satellites.
• Collaborate with engineering, program management, and production for end-to-end validation of payload tests.
• Define requirements and oversee design/build of test Ground Support Equipment for payloads.
• Support new EO payload architectures and concepts; simulate and analyze sensor designs.

Skills

Programming (Python)

Optical system fundamentals

Requirements definition

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor's in optical engineering/physics

Tools

Interferometers

Theodolite / Laser tracker

Job description

BlackSky is seeking a Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer to lead integration, verification, and testing of spaceborne EO payloads. You will develop test strategies, support payload integration on satellites, and work with cross-functional teams to ensure robust end-to-end validation from planning to execution.

Required: 10+ years in optical engineering roles, a Bachelors in optical engineering or physics, hands-on lab experience with optical instruments, and proficiency in programming for